KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's tennis team cruised to a victory in their second home match of the season, defeating the UIC Flames 6-1 at West Hills Athletic Club on Monday. With the win, the Broncos improve to 2-0 on the season.
The Broncos opened with a strong effort in doubles play, quickly claiming victories in the Nos. 2 and 3 doubles matches to take the point against the Flames. Andrew Cahn and Marc Shideler struck the first blow by making quick work of the No. 3 doubles pairing of Eric Pontow and Mitch Granger, downing them 6-2 to put the Broncos ahead in the doubles session. Stephen Payne and Matt Hamilton followed shortly thereafter, beating Maurizio Feoli and Carl Hedstrom 6-3 in the No. 2 doubles match to give WMU the doubles point.
Ruben Greiner led the singles session off with a win, picking up his first singles win of the spring after missing much of the fall season with an injury. Greiner blew past Feoli in the No. 4 singles match in straight sets, winning 6-2, 6-3 to put the Broncos ahead 2-0 in the overall match. Matt Hamilton won his second straight singles match with a straight sets win over Hedstrom, winning 6-4, 6-2 in the No. 5 match. Maik Steiner clinched the match victory with a win at the No. 2 singles spot, holding off Louis Theodor in the second set to win 6-3, 6-4. Andrew Cahn won a similarly tight match in the No. 3 singles spot, winning a marathon tiebreaker in the first set and taking the second 6-4 against Christopher Cole, and Jefta Kecic came back from a one-set deficit to beat Isaac Lloveras 6-7, 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 1 singles match.
Western Michigan 6, Illinois-Chicago 1
Singles competition
1. Jefta Kecic (WMU) def. Isaac Lloveras (UIC) 6-7, 6-1, 6-2
2. Maik Steiner (WMU) def. Louis Theodor (UIC) 6-3, 6-4
3. Andrew Cahn (WMU) def. Christopher Cole (UIC) 7-6 (12-10), 6-4
4. Ruben Greiner (WMU) def. Maurizio Feoli (UIC) 6-2, 6-3
5. Matt Hamilton (WMU) def. Carl Hedstrom (UIC) 6-4, 6-2
6. Mitch Granger (UIC) def. Pablo Mora (WMU) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Isaac Lloveras/Louis Theodor (UIC) def. Ruben Greiner/Maik Steiner (WMU) 7-6 (7-4)
2. Stephen Payne/Matt Hamilton (WMU) def. Maurizio Feoli/Carl Hedstrom (UIC) 6-3
3. Andrew Cahn/Marc Shideler (WMU) def. Eric Pontow/Mitch Granger (UIC) 6-2
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (4,5,2,6,3,1)
